Being lovers of the outdoors, we are frustrated by the amount of "trigger trash" or general garbage we see when we are enjoying public lands. We often think about how nice it would be to do "trail clean ups" and other projects in our local forests and parks. Of course, we always leave our camps cleaner than we found them, and we help educate others about how to care for the environment when overlanding. The key when taking action to is to make sure you have an audience and the message is clear.
There's nothing wrong with leading like minded folks from NWOL on a trail clean up. But think how much more impact you can have for our activity if you reach out to other activity groups and engage them in your crusade. We share a lot of terrain with snowmobilers, for instance, who use the same roads and trails in the winter that we enjoy in warmer months. They have a large well organized network who have tremendous relationships with the DNR and USFS. Asking them on a trail clean up could expand influence and create working relationships that go much further. What about hiking or biking groups? Their members are keen on environmental impact, and joining forces with them would have the dual benefit of giving them a view to how we value the same things they do, and that we are not an enemy when it comes to land use.
Don't just go out and pick up litter - have a mission. Create an event that can reach an audience beyond overlanders and off-roaders. Engage other public lands users in positive and encouraging way. Elevate the discourse to include things that WE can do to preserve OUR lands. Here are some guidelines to consider:
Create a plan
have a specific goal and desired outcome that is easily communicated
consider all the necessary logistics of achieving success
Contact authorities
work directly with land managers who have the most to gain from your efforts
show your plan and gain their trust
Reach out to NWOL for support
tap into the resources at NWOL to get help with the logistics of your plan
volunteers to act as coordinators
meal or refreshment support
knowledge of the area or people to talk to
ideation/confirmation of your plan
Design an engaging event
pick a time frame that has the best chance of attracting participation
pick an area that sees a lot of mixed use, so many will associate with the benefit
make it easy to participate - 4 to 6 hours with lunch provided or similar
Advertise & invite others
whats the event for
who benefits and why
what's in it for them
why will their participation matter
Wrap up
provide invited organizations with objective measures of success for the event (tons of garbage - number of trail repairs etc.)
solicit feedback on organization and effectiveness
write up a summary for publication with the impacted land managers (e.g. DNR, USFS, etc)
Let me know if you'd like any help getting something kicked off, I would love to get as many of these type events going as we can.
-.b
This is great, Bryan. NWOL just received its charter membership to Tread Lightly, so you will be seeing more activity on this subject in the near future.
Dan
Years ago, when I was a member of "the4X4network", we used to have an annual clean up event at Tahuya (Our main play area) in one event, we hauled out two full truckloads of general trash and three abandoned/burned out cars. With the support of the local garbage and towing companies, it cost us nothing but our own gas. I remember it making the news one year for a two second blurb, but a major news story about the Clinton family getting a cat or something was more important for broadcast.
My dad was the first to point out to me years ago that working in the background is great - but people need to know that you're working to support a common cause instead of defeating it. His term - "you don't want to appear furtive or nefarious". :)
Good idea! I've cleaned up areas before, but just quietly, usually on my own. Hmm... I like the idea of teaming with others, especially people who might not normally view 4x4 vehicles/owners favorably.